Animal Profile
Luesa Kole
Hello, my name is Luesa Kole. My animal id is #219134. I am a male black cat at the Manhattan Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 1 years 1 months 1 weeks old.
I came into the shelter as a owner surrender on 2/12/2025, with the surrender reason stated as not a fit - too many animals already.
Luesa Kole is on the at-risk list due to behavior. He is not thriving in the care center and continues to display distance-increasing behavior when approached for interactions. He has not warmed up despite staff using treats to build a positive association. Due to his stress levels, it is in his best interest to move out of the kennel environment and into a stable home as quickly as possible. He would do best in a home with adopters who are willing to give him plenty of time and space to adjust, and who have experience with helping a fearful cat adjust to strangers.
Let's get to know each other a bit more...
This pet needs emergency placement. Please click here to go to our emergency placement page for more information. Luesa Kole is on the at-risk list due to behavior. He is not thriving in the care center and continues to display distance-increasing behavior when approached for interactions. He has not warmed up despite staff using treats to build a positive association. Due to his stress levels, it is in his best interest to move out of the kennel environment and into a stable home as quickly as possible. He would do best in a home with adopters who are willing to give him plenty of time and space to adjust, and who have experience with helping a fearful cat adjust to strangers. What my friends at ACC say about me: I am looking for a home with a patient person. I prefer to call the shots and enjoy coming to you when I'm ready for pets.
My medical notes are...
Weight: 7.6 lbs
2/13/2025
DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 1 year Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Owner surrender Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - tense, dilated pupils, airplane ears, attempted to touch with prosthetic hand and immediately swatted and bit prosthetic hand twice. Opted to sedate using 0.2 ml Dexmedetomidine (500mcg/ml) + 0.2 ml Butorphanol (10mg/ml) IM. Adequate sedation reached. Is there evidence of Cruelty? No Is there evidence of Neglect? No Is there evidence of Trauma? No Objective T = P = 120 bpm (sedated) R = WNL BCS: 4/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Adult dentition, clean/white PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Externally WNL, intact male, 2 scrotal testes MSI: Ambulatory x 4 (prior to sedation), skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities (prior to sedation) Rectal: Externally WNL Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment Apparently healthy Intact male Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake tasks + exam Await sort/ behavior assessment Full volume reversal IM SURGERY: Ok for surgery, in house
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 5. Red
Upon intake, Luesa had ears flat, pupils dilated, and a tense body. To avoid any stressors, staff placed the carrier Luesa inside of the kennel and Luesa walked out and went inside of a den. Luesa was not interested in treats or staff.
Date of Intake: 2/12/2025
Is this cat having litter box issues?: No
If yes, Please elaborate:: Luesa Kole has no litter box issues. Luesa Kole was in a home with 4 litter boxes. The litter boxes were located in the living room. The litter box was uncovered, with scented, non-clumping clay litter.
Basic Information:: The owner is surrendering because they have 8 cats in the home and are overwhelmed.
Previously lived with:: 4 Adults, 1 child (1 y/o), 8 cats
How is this cat around strangers?: Luesa is shy and will hide in initial contact with strangers. Luesa will need time to warm up to strangers and prefers contact on their terms.
How is this cat around children?: Luesa was in a home with 1 child. Luesa prefers contact on their terms and will play rough with children.
How is this cat around other cats?: Luesa was in a home with 8 other cats. Luesa was noted to play rough, actively avoid, and swat.
How is this cat around dogs?: No experience
Behavior Notes: The owner never attempted to trim Luesa's nails or brush his coat. Luesa enjoys being picked up. Luesa is unbothered when placed in a carrier. Luesa will walk into the carrier when placed on the floor.
Bite history:: No bite history
Energy level/descriptors:: Medium
Has this cat ever had any medical issues?: No
Medical Notes: No medical issues or injuries.
For a New Family to Know: Luesa is a quiet, bold, independent, solitary, withdrawn indoor lap cat that prefers contact on their terms. Luesa would spend most of his time in the living room. Luesa is used to interactive play twice a day. Luesa will play gently with the owner, chase/pounce on toys, and stalk on their feet. Luesa likes carpet/fabric and wood types of surfaces. The owner stated their favorite thing about Luesa is that he allows the owner to take care of him if he is sick. Luesa is used to eating both wet and dry food from the brand Friskies.
KNOWN HISTORY:: Previously lived with: 4 Adults, 1 child (1 y/o), 8 cats Behavior toward strangers: Shy and will hide in initial contact with strangers. Luesa will need time to warm up to strangers and prefers contact on their terms. Behavior toward children: Prefers contact on their terms and will play rough with children. Behavior toward cats: Noted to play rough, actively avoid, and swat. Bite or Scratch history: None reported Litter box training: Yes Energy level/descriptors: Medium energy level Other notes: Luesa is a quiet, bold, independent, solitary, withdrawn indoor lap cat that prefers contact on their terms. Luesa would spend most of his time in the living room. Luesa is used to interactive play twice a day. Luesa will play gently with the owner, chase/pounce on toys, and stalk on their feet. Luesa likes carpet/fabric and wood types of surfaces.
ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 2/19/25 FB26 Resting on top of the den upon approach. Pupils dilated eyes wide, ears flat against his head. He sniffs the scratcher tool but slowly retreats and hisses. Avoids contact and ended the interaction to reduce stress. 2/22/25 Vol. When I raised the shoreline halfway and opened the kennel door, Luesa was on top of his den and hissed twice, flattening his ears. I returned with the treat on the tool and he again flattened his ears, pupils dilated, and scrunched up against the back of the kennel. He lifted his paw as if to swat and then swatted, sending the treat flying, then began to lick the treat off the bedding. Still a little spicy. 3/2/25 Vol. Resting on top of den with widely dilated eyes. Flinched and backed away when the tool approached but ate a cup of chicken, Temptations and squeeze-up when dropped on top of den. Stopped eating and swatted hard and fast at the tool with a refill of treats, scattering them everywhere. Then calmly continued eating the ones that landed nearby.
ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Laid back
VOCAL:: Quiet
CHARACTER TYPE: : Timid,Skittish,Independent
POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Rough play,Fearful,New home adjustment period
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3
RECOMMENDATIONS:: No young children,No other cats OR multi-cat home with adopters experienced with introducing new cats
Recommendations comments:: No young children under 12yrs
BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Luesa Kole was inside the den upon approach. Alert with eyes wide. Ears turned to the side. She watches from afar with a blank stare pupils dilated. Allows petting along the head and body with the scratcher tool through the side portal door. She remains frozen in place throughout the assessment. Luesa Kole tolerates attention and petting but may be fearful or stressed in the shelter, and may be intimidated by small children. He may be a little more independent, and may need time to warm up to his new home. Due to the behaviors seen in the care center, we feel that this cat will do best in an experienced, adult only home.